"Huh?"

Yesterday was a long, lazy day and it was great! We had no church meetings to attend as it was our churches annual General Conference which can be seen on cable and satellite channels. Pat made cinnamon rolls and Scott and Sarah came over (twice!) and also Carlie, Trevor and baby Ellena. We laid around and nibbled on stuff all day while we watched conference, movies and played the Wii. I never even took a shower, just laid around in sweats.
I was feeling full and sort of gross. And guys my age many times have the problem of a slowly-expanding waistline anyway. So I commented to no one in particular, "Man, I have seen Big and Tall shops. Pretty soon I will have to start shopping at the "Short and Fat" stores. To which Rachel replied, "You're not that short..."

Hot Air Balloons

My little writer is at it again... (Lest you think he is the class clown, he isn't, he just has an incredible funny bone!) I asked the class to write about what they would see if they were up in a hot air balloon. I got "I see a bird, cat, dog, car, pool" the usual stuff. I.H. cracked me up again. He wrote:

If I went in a hot air balloon I wod (would) see a pawr (power) lin (line). I wod (would) get elechcuoodid (electrocuted) woch (which) I loct (looked) like this moning (morning).

I complimented him on being such a good writer. He said he likes to write funny things. I told him I like to read his funny things. Stay tuned, more to come!!!

Leprechaun Wishes

I had my Kindergartners write today if they caught a leprechaun, what would they ask him for? A wish or a pot of gold and how they would use it. One boy with a 4th grade sister, said: "If I caught a leprechaun I would ask for a wish. I would say, Leprechaun, can you make my sister play with me?" If that wasn't enough, his picture showed him asking the question, and the leprechaun and his sister both saying NO!

A calcium-rich couplet

Most of us have seen the little sentimental sayings written on the inside of Dove chocolate foil wrappers. To me they are syrupy at best and insipid at worst (I know I should try to be more sensitive and less cynical!). So yesterday I read one and a line came to me to make it into a couplet. You will have to indulge me but I made myself laugh with this one. Here is the Dove line: "Laugh until your heart overflows." to which I add: "...Or until the milk comes out your nose!" Maybe I read too much Dave Barry.

"...in Camelot"

There is a line from the title song of the wonderful Broadway show. "Camelot" that says, "The rain may never fall till after sundown..." And so it was last Saturday, February 7th for our daughter Wendy's wedding here in Tucson. The ceremony and reception were held in the backyard of our dear friends Tracey and Susan Collett. A winter storm complete with cold temperatures, wind and rain was predicted for Saturday afternoon/evening. But still we dutifully set up tables, tablecloths, chairs, centerpieces and everything and the day turned out to be beautiful and almost balmy. The short ceremony conducted by our bishop Blake Isaacson was sweet and touching. The food arrived on time and was plentiful. Lots of friends and family were there including all five of our children. The payoff was that Wendy commented to her mom that everything was "just perfect" several times during and after the event. That made all the work from hauling and setting up chairs and tables, setting them, mixing lemon and limeade, washing dishes and more worthwhile. Wendy seemed very happy as did Chad, her new husband. They are honeymooning in Tulum, Mexico and will head back home soon to start their life together in Seattle. A royal wedding indeed, worthy of Camelot!

Out of the Mouths of Sunbeams part ll

Today in our Sunbeam class (4 year olds) at church Pat was teaching a lesson about prayer. To begin she showed the class a picture of a little girl, eyes closed, hands folded kneeling by her bed. Wanting to illustrate where we can pray, she asked, "What is this little girl doing?" A chorus of voices answered, "She is saying a prayer!" "And where is she?", Pat asked. One of our twins looked at the picture then at Pat and said, "She's right there!" Well, she was right there... I love this calling!

Our New President

As everyone knows, this is a historic day. Barack Obama, our first president of African-American ancestry has been sworn in. It is no secret to friends and family that I did not support nor vote for Mr. Obama. I do not believe he is the right man for the job nor do I think he is ready or experienced enough. But none of that matters now. He has the job, ready or not! And unlike many opponents to George W. Bush, I will not say, "He's not MY president." He is my president, duly elected and I sincerely wish him all the best... for the sake of my children and grandchildren and for the sake of all Americans. He is coming into this position in a troubled time and he will need support to help meet the challenges. So I will support him in the areas where I agree and oppose him in those where I don't. How marvelous to live in this fine and free country and to presence the peaceful transfer of power. Godspeed to you sir. -David Bertoglio